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Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden and Park

Even if you're not so interested in seeing Chinatown, a visit to the Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden and Park is highly recommended no matter the time of year and is a nice escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Where is Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden and Park?

Located within Chinatown, the gardens are accessible from the lane off Carrall Street, between Pender Street and Keefer Street.

It is about a 15 to 20 minute walk from the city center, or the closest SkyTrain station is Stadium. Alternatively if you’re on a hop on hop off tour bus, these will stop here.

What is the Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden and Park?

This was the first full-size Chinese garden to be built outside of China and was built between 1985 and 1986 with its opening in time for the Vancouver Expo 86.

The gardens and park and named in honor of the nationalist leader, Dr Sun Yat-Sen, who is considered to be the ‘father of modern China’ with their objective being to “maintain and enhance the bridge of understanding between Chinese and western cultures, promote Chinese culture generally and be an integral part of the local community”.

The Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden and Park uses the philosophical principles of Taoism and Feng Shui and hence attempts to achieve balance of opposites and harmony, where different elements are used together.

When should you visit Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden and Park?

The Gardens and Park are a beautiful oasis amongst the hustle of the busy Vancouver streets, and are great for visiting at any time of the year. In fact if you’re in Vancouver during different seasons, it’s worth visiting the Gardens and Park several times to see how the plants and trees change with the seasons.

Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden and Park is open all year round, though opening times do vary throughout the year so please check the official Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden and Park Website for the current times.

The Gardens are the main attraction here and there is an entrance fee payable which allows you to wander around the gardens independently. However, your entrance ticket also includes a 45 minute guided tour which is highly recommended. The tour gives you a very comprehensive insight into the gardens and their harmony and balance – you’ll learn exactly why certain things have been placed where they have been.

The neighboring Park is actually free to enter, and although not quite as enchanting as the Gardens themselves, the Park is still very attractive. If you find you don’t have time to visit the Gardens, pop into the Park for a quick wander to get a feel for the place.

For further information on the Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden and Park, please visit the Vancouver Chinese Garden official website.